What are UK greenhouse gas emissions?

DESNZ publishes the official UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions figures: provisional estimates each March and final figures each February, broken down by sector and gas, going back to 1990.

These cover emissions produced in the UK. The UK's carbon footprint, including emissions from imported goods, is a separate Defra statistic. The Climate Change Committee reports progress against carbon budgets each year.

Official sources: Final UK greenhouse gas emissions · Climate Change Committee

The latest figure

The newest value is at Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). More on it: UK greenhouse gas emissions.

When is the next figure out?

Provisional estimates for the previous year in late March or early April (2 April 2026 for 2025); final estimates in February the year after (final 2025 figures due February 2027). File URLs change with each release

Every official release due in the next two weeks is on the release calendar.

Terms used in this answer

• Net zero
  The UK's legal target for 2050: greenhouse gas emissions reduced so far that any remaining emissions are balanced by removals from the atmosphere.
• Carbon budget
  A legal cap on the total greenhouse gases the UK can emit over a five-year period, set under the Climate Change Act on the advice of the Climate Change Committee.
• Territorial and consumption emissions
  Territorial emissions count greenhouse gases produced within the UK. Consumption emissions count those caused by what UK residents buy, wherever in the world they are produced.
• Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)
  A common unit that converts different greenhouse gases into the amount of carbon dioxide that would cause the same warming.
• Provisional figures
  Early estimates published before all data are in, so users get timely figures. They are expected to be updated when later data arrive.
• Revisions
  Changes to previously published figures, made when more complete data, improved methods or updated seasonal factors become available. A normal part of official statistics.

Where the figures come from

• Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) energy and emissions statistics, and Ofgem energy price cap data
  Where to find official UK energy prices, fuel prices, electricity generation, greenhouse gas emissions and the Ofgem price cap, and how to check claims.
• Environment Agency, Ofwat, Defra and Met Office environmental data
  Where to find Environment Agency sewage spill and water quality data, flood APIs, Ofwat performance, Defra air quality and Met Office climate records.
• UK poverty and household income statistics (DWP, ONS, DESNZ, Low Pay Commission and devolved governments)
  Where to find official UK poverty, household income, inequality, minimum wage and fuel poverty figures, and how to check claims about them.

Related questions

• How much UK electricity comes from renewables?
• What is the energy price cap?
• Where can I find official UK fuel prices?

This answer says where the official figures are published and how they are defined. It gives no verdict on any claim. To report an error, send a correction request. More questions about energy, transport and emissions: all Energy, transport and emissions questions.